Physics

Kinetic Particle Theory

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What is Matter?
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space
Matter can exist in 3 states: solid, liquid, gas

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Has definite volume

Has definite volume

No definite volume as it
entirely fills its container

Has definite shape

No definite shape, takes No definite shape, takes

the shape of its container the shape of the whole
container

Usually hard and rigid

Can flow

Can flow

Not compressible

Not compressible

Compressible

Kinetic Theory of Matter

To explain why the 3 states of matter behave the way
they do
Based on the following assumptions
All matter is made up of a large number of small particles
- atoms or molecules
The small particles are always in continuous random
motion or vibration
The higher the temperature, the faster the particles move
The inter-particle collisions are perfectly elastic - means
that both the kinetic energy and momentum are
conserved in the collisions

Kinetic Theory of Matter

The continuous random motion of the particles in the
different states of matter is shown by Brownian
motion and diffusion
Brownian motion is the random motion of gaseous
and liquid molecules

Random motion of particles

Kinetic Theory of Matter

Diffusion is the process by which
different kinds of matter in the
same or different states mix with
one another due to the random
movements of the particles in the
matter
Diffusion occurs fastest in gases
and slowest in solids
Factors affecting diffusion rate
Rate of diffusion increase with
temperature
Rate of diffusion is inversely
proportional to the square root of its
density

Solid, Liquid, Gas

Molecular model of the 3 states of matter

Solids

Liquids

Gases

Solid molecules arranges in a

regular pattern known as a
lattice
(definite shape and volume)

Liquid molecules are not

arranged in any particular
pattern
(no definite shape)

Gas molecules are not

arranged in any particular
pattern
(no definite shape)

The attractive intermolecular

forces are very strong and are
able to hold molecules in fixed
positions

The weaker intermolecular

forces cannot hold molecules
in fixed positions. Molecules
move among one another (can
flow)

The intermolecular forces are

negligible so molecules can
move freely (can flow easily
and completely fill the
container)

Molecules are very close to

Molecules are slightly further Molecules are very far apart
one another (not compressible) away from one another than in from one another. They can
solids (not compressible)
easily move closer to one
another (easily compressible)
Molecules only vibrate about
their fixed positions (cannot
flow and diffuse slowly)

Molecules rotate and translate Molecules rotate and translate

randomly (can flow and diffuse randomly and freely (can flow
faster)
and diffuse faster than liquids)

Change of States

Pressure-Volume relationship
of a gas
Randomly moving gas particles collide with one another and
with the inner walls of the container
The collisions produce forces
The force acting on each unit of the inner walls is the gas
pressure exerted on it
When the volume of gas is halved by halving the volume of
its container, the number of molecules per unit volume in the
container will be doubled.
The number of collisions between the gas molecules and the
inner walls will double the force produced
Hence, the force acting on each unit area of the inner walls
(gas pressure) will be doubled

Boyles Law
This relationship between pressure and volume of a
gas at constant temperature and fixed mass is stated in
Boyles Law:
For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, the
pressure is inversely proportional to its volume.

Example Question
A tyre contains 1500cm3 of air at pressure p. The volume of air
in the pump is 500cm3 at the same pressure p. what will be the
pressure in the tyre after one stroke of the pump, assuming the
volume of the tyre and the temperature of the air do not
change?
Solution
p1: original pressure of air
p2: pressure of air in the tyre after one stroke of the pump
v1: total volume of air in the tyre and pump
v2: volume of air in the tyre after one stroke of the pump
p1 x (1500 + 500) = p2 x 1500
p2 = 4/3p1